Scammers busted stealing 40,000 pounds of copper from Seattle City Light

Four people are in custody for allegedly scamming 40,000 pounds of copper from Seattle City Light.

A City Light spokesman says two people contacted the utility Tuesday, claiming they were members of the Cherokee Nation seeking a small amount of scrap copper for a nonprofit program helping disabled kids.

An employee let them in to the South Service Center in SoDo, where they drove off with four pallets of insulated copper wire worth about $120,000.

There was no charity. Instead, the copper showed up later this week at a Portland metal recycling plant.

The Seattle Police Department launched an investigation and Portland police arrested four people Thursday; two adults and two juveniles. Police also found the two trucks used in the theft, one in Portland with the suspects, the other in Milton, Wash.

“The swift work of the Seattle detective and supporting officers assigned to this case and from the Portland Police Department is impressive,” City Light Superintendent Jorge Carrasco said. “This is a fine example of interdepartmental cooperation at its best. The investigative team working on this case is top tier and I am very thankful for their exemplary efforts.”

City Light is reviewing security procedures and its internal control processes at the salvage yard at the South Service Center, the utility said in a statement. It’s also investigating how the suspects were able to get away with the theft.